Memorial Day Bash marks opening of summer season at Ski Apache

There are 5.5 miles of intermediate level mountain biking trails that will be open for the Memorial Day Bash, Saturday, at Ski Apache. The event will offer food, music, a rock wall, a mini zip line, jumping house, gondola rides and other assorted fun to kick off the summer season. The event runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Kelly Brooks — Ruidoso News)

Ski Apache will be kicking off the summer season with a Memorial Day Bash — the first ever — on Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The family-friendly event will feature mountain biking, gondola rides, a rock wall, zip line, water balls and a jump house. There will be tons of food for sale and music in the air from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. by the S.K. Band.

"It looks like we're going to have a fairly decent weekend," said Ski Apache Operations Director Justin Roland. "Come up and ride the gondola and have some fun."

There are 5.5 miles of intermediate level mountain biking trails that were opened up in July 2013 and proved to be a popular addition to Ski Apache's summer offerings. Mountain bike rentals and helmets also are available.

Costs for the days activities are as follows:

Mountain biking trail usage

Full day/adults, $27; half day, $20; one ride, $15.

Full day/children 12 and younger, $21; half day, $15; one ride, $11.

Mountain bike rentals

Full suspension bike

Full day/adults, $45; half day, $35; one ride, $25.

Children's bike rental, $25 all day

Hard trail bike

Full day, $35; half day, $25; one ride, $15.

Helmet rentals are $5.

Bike insurance on rentals is available for $5 and is highly recommended, Roland said.

"It's an 'if you trash the bike, you buy it' deal," he said. "It's better to pay the $5 for insurance than to have to pay $1,200 to replace the bike."

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The gondola brings bikes and riders back up the mountain for each run.

Keep in mind that all bikers 17 years of age and younger must have a parent sign a waiver before they are able to ride.

For those who are only interested in sight seeing and taking the ride to the top, gondola rides will run $17 for adults and $11 for children.

For $11 visitors will get unlimited game access to the rock wall, mini zip line, water balls and the jump house complete with slide.

In the past, Ski Apache didn't open up for the summer until June. Roland said Ski Apache hopes to make the Memorial Day Bash its annual opening day event.

May and June hours of operation will be Friday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Ski Apache will be open in July and August Thursday through Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

"If you haven't had a chance to ride the biking trails from last summer, come on up," Roland said. "There will be food and fun at the top of the mountain. It'll be a fun time on Saturday and all summer long."

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